Financial Profile

WE PUT FINANCIAL STRENGTH AND STABILITY FIRST

Our strategy is as straightforward as it is simple. We make sure that we hold enough capital to provide our Members with a high enough level of security to meet their claims. A strong balance of capital also offers greater certainty of what costs might be, not least because it all but eliminates unbudgeted calls. In fact, we haven’t had to make an unbudgeted call in over 50 years.

On February 20, 2024, our capital stood at USD560m. This is after capital distributions amounting to USD130m to Members since May 2017.

AN ‘A’ CREDIT RATING FROM STANDARD & POOR’S

Standard and Poor’s are regarded as the world’s leading independent credit ratings agency. They confirmed their ‘A’ long term financial strength (‘AAA’ capital) and counterparty credit ratings for our P&I Club. This is based on their expectation that our capital adequacy will remain at a level that is consistent with S&P’s ‘AAA’ benchmark. However, to reflect the underlying underwriting deficits our outlook remained negative.

WE’RE CONSERVATIVE WITH OUR INVESTMENTS

We employ a cautious investment strategy. Our aim is always to preserve capital yet, at the same time, achieve a respectable rate of return, one that supports our underwriting activity. As you might expect, this calls for us to invest in a diverse range of assets. In detail, these are cash, to maintain liquidity, and five types of bond: government, conventional, index-linked, corporate and absolute return. In addition, we invest in diversified growth funds and equities. On February 20, 2024 these investments totalled USD1.0bn.

In the year to February 20, 2024, the overall return on investments was 6.6% which is equivalent to a return of USD63.6m.

WE’RE COST EFFICIENT

Because we are efficiently managed, our cost base is one of the lowest amongst international P&I Clubs. As of February 20, 2024, our average ratio of expense was 15.48%.

 KEY FINANCIAL

DATA

 


20 FEB 2024
(GT million)


20 FEB 2023
(GT million)

ENTERED TONNAGE (OWNED) 141.7 142.0
ENTERED TONNAGE (CHARTERED) 55.2 51.0
  USD(‘000) USD(‘000)
CALLS AND PREMIUMS 288,815 258,140
NET CLAIMS INCURRED (181,261) (169,933)
INVESTMENT INCOME 63,573 (63,781)
NET OPERATING EXPENSES (50,245) (46,490)
NET (DEFICIT)/SURPLUS AFTER TAXATION 58,243 (77,837)
FREE RESERVES 549,931 501,688
COMBINED RATIO 102.3% 106.6%
EXPENSE RATIO 15.48% 15.39%
STANDARD & POOR’S RATING A (negative) A (negative)

 

USEFUL DOCUMENTS

Britannia